Scouting Report: Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Sales Pitch: “Technically sound CB with a ton of experience and scheme versatility. Lacks the high end athleticism or turnover production to be a true difference maker but has the football IQ and polish to be a long time starter and high end CB2.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 5’ 11 1/2”
Weight: 199 lbs
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 8.5”
40 Yard Dash: 4.47
10 Yard Split: 1.44
Vertical: 34.5”
Broad Jump: 10’ 1”
Short Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Age: 21
Relative Athletic Score: 7.54 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 62 Tackles- 2 Interceptions- 23 Pass Deflections
2023: 24 Tackles - 0 Interceptions - 7 Pass Deflections
Strengths
Good size and length for the position
Multi-year SEC starter with strong production
High IQ coverage player capable of playing in a variety of schemes
Strong understanding for route spacing and leverage
Lateral agility to match release angles and mirror in man coverage
Processing skills and first step quickness to quickly close out of zone coverage
Quick hands that can be used to disrupt route timings
Excellent at playing through WRs hands at the catch point
Takes good pursuit angles in the run game
Consistent player who rarely busts in coverage or bites on double moves
Weaknesses
Average athlete who is quicker than fast
High hipped player who can struggle staying attached on comebacks and hitches
Grabby hands at the top of horizontal routes when he loses leverage
Prefers to mirror w/ feet in press over getting physical with his hands and length
Struggles to locate the ball when his back is to the quarterback
Only 2 INTs in 39 career games
Shows no interest in fitting the run or tackling bigger ball carriers
Marginal tackling effort or pursuit motor in the open field
Summary
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry is a former 5-Star recruit from the state of Alabama. The #1 CB in the 2021 recruiting class went on to be a two time All-American for the Crimson Tide, starting 34 games in three seasons. McKinstry is a technically sound defensive back with high level football intelligence. His understanding of route spacing combined solid lateral quickness allows him to match receivers release angles and force them into disadvantageous positions. He displays clean footwork in man coverage was able to stay in phase with all but the top-end receivers he faced in the SEC. McKinstry has quick active hands that he uses to disrupt receivers release and stems at the line of scrimmage. He does a tremendous job of opening his hips to run vertically, staying in the hip pocket of receivers despite average long speed. When tasked with playing off man or zone coverage, McKinstry is able to use his burst and processing skills to quickly drive on the ball out of his back pedal or half turn. He has good length for the position, measuring in with 32 inch arms, and ball tracking which resulted in him breaking up 23 passes in his collegiate career. However, McKinstry does struggle to convert deflections into interceptions due to his small hands and average dexterity. He also struggles to find and locate the ball when he back is turned to the quarterback. The biggest hole in McKinstry’s game is run defense. Despite his plus size and strong understanding of pursuit angles, he shows little interest inserting himself in the run game. McKinstry typically shies away from tackling larger ball carriers and does not run the alley with much aggression. McKinstry projects as a starting outside corner that can play in either a man or zone scheme. He lacks the elite tools to be a true lockdown corner but his well rounded game and strong technique should smoothly translate to the next level. McKinstry should find himself selected as a Top 50 player to be a high end CB2 who can provided special teams value as a returner.